Solis, II, Jacinto v. The State of Texas--Appeal from 130th District Court of Matagorda County

Jacinto Solis v. SOT

NUMBER 13-99-564-CR

COURT OF APPEALS

THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

CORPUS CHRISTI

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JACINTO SOLIS, II, Appellant,

v.

 

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee.

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On appeal from the 130th District Court of Matagorda County, Texas.

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O P I N I O N

Before Justices Hinojosa, Ya ez, and Chavez (1)

Opinion by Justice Hinojosa

 

Appellant, Jacinto Solis, II, pleaded guilty to the offense of delivery of a controlled substance, and a jury assessed his punishment at fifty years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. By three points of error, appellant complains the trial court erred in allowing the jury to hear evidence of an extraneous offense during the punishment phase of the trial and that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. We affirm.

A. Background and Procedural History

 

On September 1, 1998, appellant sold cocaine to a confidential informant of the Matagorda County Sheriff's Department. The transaction occurred at the Baywood Square Apartments in Bay City, which are within 1,000 feet of a playground. The sale of the cocaine was videotaped. At trial, appellant pleaded guilty to the offense of delivery of a controlled substance and asked the jury to assess his punishment.

B. Sufficiency of the Evidence

 

By his first and second points of error, appellant complains the trial court erred in allowing the jury to hear evidence during the punishment phase of the trial of an alleged extraneous offense not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. He contends the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence of the extraneous drug transaction because (1) the State did not offer sufficient evidence to show appellant committed the offense and (2) Paula Vela's testimony was clearly prejudicial in that it could be calculated to make a jury less sympathetic to appellant.

At trial, the State called Officers Troi Johnson, Richard Morales, and Joey Galloway to testify about the extraneous offense in question. The extraneous offense was the result of a traffic stop. Appellant was the front-seat passenger in his car, which was being driven by Richard Rodriguez and was stopped by Officer Johnson for speeding. When he approached the vehicle, Johnson detected an odor of marijuana emitting from the car. Johnson asked Rodriguez to step out from the vehicle, and as Rodriguez "approached the driver's side rear-corner-trunk area, [he] dropped a white powder-like substance from his pocket." The substance was cocaine, and it was introduced by the State as Exhibit No. 25. Johnson testified that Rodriguez was "the sole occupant [sic] of the cocaine." Galloway, a narcotics investigator, transported the cocaine to the Department of Public Safety's lab in Houston to have it examined. Morales, a narcotics officer, testified that he transported the cocaine in a manila envelope, Exhibit No. 26, from the D.P.S. lab to the Matagorda County Sheriff's Department.

Appellant's counsel objected to the introduction of Exhibit Nos. 25 and 26 on the basis of relevancy. The trial court sustained the objection, excluded the evidence, and struck the testimony presented to the jury by Johnson, Morales, and Galloway with reference to Exhibit Nos. 25 and 26. The court, however, denied appellant's motion for a mistrial.

Then, outside the presence of the jury, Paula Vela, appellant's former girlfriend and the mother of appellant's son, testified that appellant told her about an hour after the traffic stop, "[the police] had pulled them over; and he had passed his shit to Richard, which was dope," and that appellant had said it was his dope. Appellant's counsel objected to Vela's testimony on the ground that "she has a motive - I don't believe that she's telling the truth. She has a motive to lie." The court overruled the objection and allowed Vela to testify before the jury. Before the jury, when questioned about the conversation she had with appellant concerning the traffic stop, Vela testified:

He was all nervous and everything. I asked him what was going on. And he said they had pulled him over and he had some dope with him and he passed the shit to Richard. And, I guess, they found it on Richard; and they took Richard to jail.

The State then asked the trial court to reconsider its ruling on Exhibit Nos. 25 and 26 and the testimony of Officers Johnson, Morales, and Galloway. The court then admitted Exhibit Nos. 25 and 26 and the testimony of the officers.

For purposes of assessing punishment, the prosecution may offer evidence of any extraneous crime or bad act that is shown, beyond a reasonable doubt, to have been (1) committed by the defendant, or (2) for which the defendant could be held criminally responsible. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 37.07, 3(a) (Vernon Supp. 2001). Prior crimes or bad acts are introduced to provide additional information which the jury may use to determine what sentence the defendant should receive. Fields v. State, 1 S.W.3d 687, 688 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999).

The trial court is the authority on the threshold issue of the admissibility of relevant evidence during the punishment phase of the trial. Mitchell v. State, 931 S.W.2d 950, 953 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). The trial court must first determine that the evidence is relevant and that the jury could reasonably find beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the extraneous offense. See Harrell v. State, 884 S.W.2d 154, 160-61 n. 14 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). Evidence is relevant when it has "any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence." Tex. R. Evid. 401. A trial court's actions as to the admissibility of extraneous offense evidence is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. See Mitchell, 931 S.W.2d at 953. A trial court abuses its discretion if by no reasonable perception of common experience it admits evidence that is not relevant by any reasonable interpretation. Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) (opin. on reh'g). Therefore, an appellate court should not disturb a trial court's decision to admit extraneous offense evidence at the punishment stage of the trial as long as the ruling was at least within the zone of reasonable disagreement. Id.

The jury, as the exclusive judge of the facts, is to determine whether the State has proven the extraneous offense beyond a reasonable doubt and should be so instructed by the trial court. Huizar v. State, 12 S.W.3d 479, 484 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). (2) Once this requirement is met, the fact finder may use the evidence however it chooses in assessing punishment. Mitchell, 931 S.W.2d at 954.

In addition to the testimony of the officers and Vela, Fernando Gonzales, the back-seat passenger in the car, testified that just before the car was stopped by the police, "I just seen [appellant], like, reach his hand over to [Rodriguez]; and that was it, sir." When considering this testimony, coupled with Vela's testimony and the exhibits, we cannot say that it was an abuse of discretion for the trial court to find the evidence of the extraneous offense relevant.

Appellant further contends Vela's testimony was clearly prejudicial because she "was a woman scorned by appellant . . . who had one thing on her mind - revenge." Admissibility of punishment-phase evidence that the trial court deems relevant is subject to a Rule 403 analysis. Henderson v. State, 29 S.W.3d 616, 626 n. 11 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2000, no pet.) (citing Meadows v. State, 998 S.W.2d 318, 322 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, pet. ref'd)). That is, if the probative value of evidence is substantially outweighed by the prejudicial effect, by the possibility of confusing or misleading the jury, or by the possibility of delay or cumulation, then the evidence should be excluded by the trial court. Tex. R. Evid. 403; Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 389-90.

There is a presumption that relevant evidence is more probative than prejudicial. Brimage v. State, 918 S.W.2d 466, 505 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994); Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 388. Moreover, the danger of unfair prejudice must substantially outweigh the probative value of the evidence to render relevant evidence inadmissible under Rule 403. Cohn v. State, 849 S.W.2d 817, 820 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). "Unfair prejudice" does not mean that the evidence injures the opponent's case. Id. Rather, it refers to an "undue tendency to suggest decision on an improper basis, commonly, though not necessarily, an emotional one." Id. We cannot say that the probative value of Vela's testimony was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Thus, the trial court's ruling was not an abuse of discretion. Rogers v. State, 991 S.W.2d 263, 266-67 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999).

Upon determining that Exhibit Nos. 25 and 26, the testimony of the officers, and the testimony of Vela were relevant and admissible, the trial court properly instructed the jury to consider the extraneous bad acts only if it found that they were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 37.07, 3(a) (Vernon Supp. 2001); Mitchell, 931 S.W.2d at 953-54.

Appellant's first and second points of error are overruled.

C. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

 

Appellant contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his trial counsel allowed him to plead guilty to the offense of delivering narcotics within a drug-free zone when there was insufficient evidence that the playground facility met the requirements of a drug-free zone playground. (3)

Claims of ineffective assistance are analyzed under the rule set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), and adopted by the Texas courts in Hernandez v. State, 726 S.W.2d 53, 56 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). The Strickland standard applies to ineffective assistance of counsel at both the guilt-innocence and punishment phases of the proceedings. Hernandez v. State, 988 S.W.2d 770 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). The Strickland test is the benchmark for judging whether counsel's conduct has so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial cannot be relied on as having produced a reliable result. Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 812 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (citing McFarland v. State, 845 S.W.2d 824, 843 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992)). The appellant must first show that trial counsel's performance was not reasonably effective, falling below an objective standard of reasonableness under the prevailing professional norms. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 812-13. A showing of deficiency requires a demonstration that trial counsel made errors so serious that he was not functioning as the counsel guaranteed a defendant under the Sixth Amendment. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. We must presume that counsel is better positioned than the appellate court to judge the pragmatism of the particular case, and that counsel made all significant decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment. Young v. State, 991 S.W.2d 835, 837 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999); Delrio v. State, 840 S.W.2d 443, 447 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992). There is also a strong presumption that trial counsel's conduct was reasonable and constitutes sound trial strategy. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689; McFarland, 845 S.W.2d at 843. The "reasonably effective assistance" standard does not mean errorless counsel. Ex parte Felton, 815 S.W.2d 733, 735 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991); Hernandez v. State, 799 S.W.2d 507, 508 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 1991, pet. ref'd).

If the appellant can demonstrate deficient assistance under the first part of the Strickland test, he must then show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceedings would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 812; Washington v. State, 771 S.W.2d 537, 545 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989). "A reasonable probability" means "a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 812; Ex parte Walker, 777 S.W.2d 427, 430 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989). The prejudice element requires a showing that trial counsel's errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial - one whose result is reliable. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. The totality of the representation is evaluated from counsel's perspective at trial, not his isolated acts or omissions in hindsight. Ex parte Welborn, 785 S.W.2d 391, 393 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990); Wilkerson v. State, 726 S.W.2d 542, 548 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986).

The assessment of whether a defendant received effective assistance of counsel must be made according to the facts of each case. Ex parte Scott, 581 S.W.2d 181, 182 (Tex. Crim. App. 1979); Stone v. State, 17 S.W.3d 348, 350 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2000, pet. ref'd). The appellant must prove his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel by a preponderance of the evidence. Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 506 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). Furthermore, he must show ineffective assistance firmly rooted in the record. Jackson v. State, 877 S.W.2d 768, 771-72 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). We may not speculate as to the reasons behind trial counsel's actions nor should we try to second guess trial counsel's tactical decisions which do not fall below the objective standard of reasonableness. Young, 991 S.W.2d at 837-38; Solis v. State, 792 S.W.2d 95, 100 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990); Stone, 17 S.W.3d at 350.

There was a timely motion for new trial filed in this case. However, the motion did not assert ineffective assistance of counsel as grounds for granting a new trial, rather it simply stated "the verdict in this case is contrary to the law and the evidence." We find nothing in the record showing the trial court held a hearing to consider the motion, but the record reflects the trial court denied the motion. The record contains no evidence of what trial counsel's trial strategy might have been.

We cannot "second-guess trial counsel's tactical decisions which do not fall below the objective standard of reasonableness." Young, 991 S.W.2d at 837-38. All we can do is determine from the record before us if the complained-of actions "fall below the objective standard of reasonableness." Id.

According to the record, the trial court admonished appellant that there was a drug-free-zone enhancement to the charge of delivery of a controlled substance. In his judicial confession, appellant stipulated that "the location at which [he] delivered the above-described crack cocaine was within 1000 feet of a playground facility located at Baywood Square Apartments, 1700 Baywood Drive, Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas, as alleged in the indictment in this case." The record before us is silent as to why appellant decided to plead guilty and to stipulate that the offense occurred in a drug-free zone. It is also silent as to his contention that "counsel [did not] instruct [him] about the requirements for a playground to be identified as a drug-free zone playground."

Based on the record before us, we cannot say that appellant received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial. Appellant's third point of error is overruled.

The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

FEDERICO G. HINOJOSA

Justice

Do not publish. Tex. R. App. P. 47.3.
Opinion delivered and filed this

the 14th day of June, 2001.

1. Retired Justice Melchor Chavez, assigned to this Court by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code Ann. 74.003 (Vernon 1998).

2. There is no requirement that a reasonable doubt definition be given at the punishment phase, absent a request. See Huizar v. State, 12 S.W.3d at 481 (clarifying Fields v. State, 1 S.W.3d 687 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999)); see also Paulson v. State, 28 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) ("the better practice is to give no definition of reasonable doubt at all to the jury").

3. When describing a drug-free zone, a "playground" means any outdoor facility that is not on the premises of a school and that:

is intended for recreation; is open to the public; and contains three or more separate apparatus intended for the recreation of children, such as slides, swing sets, and teeterboards.

See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. 481.134 (a)(3) (Vernon Supp. 2001).